KINGSTON - Downtown business owners are concerned about an upcoming doughnut and coffee trailer business, and at least one owner says it would create unfair competition for established businesses.

In October, Port of Kingston Commissioners Walt Elliot and Pete DeBoer approved a proposal to open a concession trailer selling doughnuts and coffee that would be parked at the Port of Kingston's parking lot at Highway 104 and Washington Boulevard, according to Port Executive Director Kori Henry. Commissioner Marc Bissonnette did not attend that meeting.

That has business owners like Paul Pluska, of downtown business J'aime Les Crêpes, worried.

Chief among Pluska's concerns is what it could mean for the area's brick-and-mortar businesses if a crop of inexpensive businesses-on-wheels set up shop in downtown Kingston, where established businesses already struggle to maintain a consistent clientele.

"Lots of businesses depend on the (ferry) summer ridership for business because we lack local customers," Pluska said, adding road configurations approaching and exiting the ferry make it difficult for residents to get to businesses.

Add to that the possibility of mobile businesses selling overlapping products would likely mean the end of established businesses, Pluska said.

The crepe shop business owner is one of several downtown stakeholders who has spread the word about the port's decision in the past few weeks. The group will share its thoughts with port commissioners Monday night.

Pluska said others echo his concerns. But nearby business owners declined to comment, holding off making public statements until Monday night.

Pluska said he also is concerned about the "unlevel playing field" that port commissioners created with the new vendor, putting "private businesses up against government subsidized" spots.

The mobile doughnut and coffee business would take up two parking spots, which the port is charging the vendor $140 per month to rent.

That's unfair, Pluska said, considering how much more money is required of brick-and-mortar businesses.

Kingston residents Steve and Jessica DuMond own the new business, called DuMond's Mini-Donuts.

Jessica DuMond said downtown Kingston stakeholders' concerns are likely due to a lack of information.

The couple intends to park the concession trailer at the parking lot permanently, and open it during peak ferry hours, seven days a week.

DuMond said the couple decided to sell doughnuts because it doesn't directly compete with anyone downtown.

"I don't have an interest in opening up a third bakery to compete with other bakeries," she said.

"We like the area and we want to be able to do something that allows us to work in Kingston," DuMond said.

The DuMonds are currently in the permitting process for their new business, which they hope to open in January.

Bissonnette is surprised by the business concerns.

"We've discussed (this business) at several meetings. It's up to people to show up at our meetings … and stay informed," he said.

Bissonnette said unless someone shows how the trailer would "severely damage" existing businesses, he will maintain his support of the new vendor.

"Community members need to come to meetings and be engaged. We can't second-guess decisions after we make them. It impacts people's lives. (The new owners) have already put money into it," he said.

Elliot said having the portable food vendor is "not unusual."

"We have vendors at the farmers market, and special night events. If Kingston wants to restrict portable food ventures, that's a zoning land issue," Elliot said.